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With experts in engineering, economics and energy policy, the SAF team work with government, industry and academia on energy systems modelling, analysis and design – exploring a range of innovative decarbonisation pathways across electricity, heat and transport.

Established in 2015, the ESC is part of the government’s Catapult network and is focused on helping UK innovators unlock value from the transition to a low-carbon energy system. The ETI is a £400m industry and government funded research institute into low carbon energy system planning and technology development to address UK energy and climate change targets. It was established in 2007 and will run until the end of 2019.

The two organisations have been working together over the past few months to reach an agreement to secure the future of the SAF team and its vital capability.

Philip New, Chief Executive of the ESC said: “The ETI has spent 10 years building a successful capability in whole energy system modelling and analysis that can operate at international, national and local levels.

“With innovation being so critical if the UK is going to meet its ambition to effectively decarbonise by 2050, and provide clean, affordable, secure energy – whole systems analysis is vitally important to helping innovators identify and unleash opportunities.

“So, we are thrilled to have the SAF team bolster the Catapult’s capability in providing effective modelling and analysis of the whole energy system.”

The 18-strong SAF team will transfer into the ESC and will be based at the ESC’s new East Midlands Hub in Derby. As part of the transfer agreement, the team will provide consultancy services as a project partner to the ETI as it completes its portfolio of energy innovation projects and analysis. Originally a 10-year partnership, the ETI’s membership have agreed to fund a ‘soft-stop’ to the partnership which means a portfolio of larger demonstration projects will run beyond 2017 and their findings disseminated by the end of 2019.

“With the support of our government and industry members over the last 10 years, we have built a leading capability in whole energy system modelling and strategic analysis which is currently used across academia, government and industry.

“As we look ahead to the end of our partnership operation in 2019 there are a number of actions we are implementing to help ensure the ETI’s legacy continues to support the transition of the UK energy system. The retention of the team, the knowledge generated and their capability is one of those key actions. Well informed whole energy system analysis is essential to support the transition to a secure, affordable low carbon future. The ESC is an exciting long-term home for this capability to develop further.”

This agreement builds on the established relationship between the ETI and the ESC following the transfer of the delivery of the ETI’s Smart Systems and Heat programme into the ESC in 2015.